Google's previous contestes - CanSecWest 2012 and Hack in the Box - focused on compromising the Chrome browser but not the same-named OS.

Online: Hacks will only count on a Samsung laptop and done via Wi-Fi

Pwnium was started last year as an alternative to the Pwn2Own contest after the latter temporarily changed its rules so that successful hackers didn't have to show their methods.

For some commercial hackers who only sell their secrets to the highest bidder the change was welcome.

For Pwnium, contests can keep their true identities a secret. A teenager only identified as Pinkie Pie - a name shared by a My Little Pony character - has won $60,000 at each Pwnium.

While Google calls Chrome OS its most secure operating system its market share is so small it hasn't yet faced a real world field-test.

Niche: Though Google believes its operating system is solid, its market share is so small it hasn't had a real world field test

However the Pwn2Own prize for cracking the Chrome browser is $100,000 but only $60,000 for Firefox and $65,000 for Safari. Internet Explorer running on Windows 8 wins $100,000 and IE 9 on Windows 7 nets $75,000.

Pwn2Own winners also get to keep the contest provided laptops.

Pwnium hasn't said whether winners will be able to leave with their Chromebooks but as they only run $450 its likely the company won't lose sleep over the losses.

Google has never once paid out the full amount offered for a Chrome browser crack.

The source article has it in the title. Has to be a typo in the body on Mail Online's part. Wonderful journalism these days. Where are the editors at? My local news, both the newspaper and the CBS affiliate, have horrible typos all the time.